"I mean, I'm an employee of the Miss Universe organization and following directions given to me," she said. "I guess their vision was, 'What's better to identify India than the Taj Mahal?' But unfortunately, it's something that was highly offensive. Honestly, I did say out loud at one point, 'Isn't this a little inappropriate?'"

Culpo, who said that she "didn't want to do it", added: "It's upsetting to me that I was a part of that. It's really upsetting because I loved my visit to India, and I would love nothing more to go back, even in the near future."

Meanwhile, the Miss Universe Organization released a statement explaining that they sometimes incorporate sponsors into their winner's "video diaries".

"The filming that took place outside the Taj Mahal was never intended to be used as a commercial nor was it meant in any way to be disrespectful," the organization said. "We sincerely apologize for any unintentional harm our indiscretion and insensitivity may have caused."